I'll admit it's a small sample size, but the key to beating St Bonaventure lately seems to be playing your goalie in her first career start. Cassie Betancourt was pushed into a starting role today after relieving Laura Dougall at halftime of the Bulls' last match, and made seven saves backstopping the Bulls to her first career win, a little over two years after Dougall earned her first win against the same Bonnies in 2014.
Betancourt nearly got a clean sheet in her starting debut, as well, but for a well-placed header off a corner with just 21 seconds to play, but still did plenty in the 3-1 victory.
Carissima Cutrona was the offensive star on the night for the Bulls, scoring a brace in the second half with a pair of powerful shots, but Julia Benati opened the scoring in the 30th minute, earning and converting a penalty kick to put the Bulls on top. The marker capped off a dominant stretch for the Bulls, who held the Bonnies without a shot for nearly 30 minutes, though the visitors' best chance of the night came shortly after as Betancourt was forced to stop Sydney Cerza with a sliding save to keep Buffalo in the lead.
Stop-and-go rain threatened all night, and the second half was delayed for some time due to lightning in the area. On the restart, it was the Cutrona show, as the sophomore forward reeled in a pass from Benati at 56 minutes and slotted it past Bonaventure goalie Lauren Malcolm, and then six minutes later added to the lead, generating a turnover off high pressure and delivering a shot to the opposite post, upper 90, while falling down.
Twice Cutrona nearly found UB's first hat trick since Jenny Dannecker in October 2004, but could not find a long shot past Malcolm nor shortly later work past the freshman keeper when the Bulls' counterattack sprung her into space.
It's a complete first win for the Bulls, the only blemish the late Bonnies marker and perhaps a lack of corner kicks. The defense was not quite as impressive as against Hofstra and WVU, but did plenty to keep the game in control, while Moira Petrie built on her strong showing against the Mountaineers, especially in the first half.
Rebecca Bramble impressed in the first half with her technical ability, Jess Marlowe continued to flash a nose for the net, and AJ VanCuyck showed a greater willingness to move further upfield. In general the Bulls found much more build up play and extended possession in the final third than last weekend - perhaps the most impressive stat of the night was UB placing 12 of their 16 shots on net, forcing Malcolm to make nine saves and still coming away with three goals.
UB will stay at home continues this weekend on the road, taking on Binghamton Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats tied these Bonnies 1-1 in each team's season opener before topping Niagara 1-0 on Sunday and tonight falling to Lafayette 1-0.